Can You Restore Tooth Enamel? Las Vegas Oral Health Guide
Tooth enamel plays a pivotal role in your dental health. It protects the teeth from damage and prevents tooth decay, keeping your smile strong and radiant. However, enamel can begin to wear down and put your oral health at risk. You may experience tooth sensitivity, discoloration, or increased cavities from enamel erosion.
For optimal tooth protection, our team shares everything you need to know about tooth enamel, including dental care and oral hygiene tips.
Tooth enamel is the durable outer layer of the tooth, made of a strong calcium phosphate compound. Its role is to protect against tooth decay and damage. Despite being stronger than bone, tooth enamel can begin to wear down from bacteria, acids, and plaque buildup in the mouth.
Enamel decay can cause several issues, including cavities, tooth infections, and tooth loss. Practicing good oral hygiene, and seeing your dentist regularly, can help you avoid damage and maintain a healthy smile.
Can You Restore Enamel?
Once it’s lost, tooth enamel cannot be fully restored. This is why it is crucial to focus on enamel protection, and preventing further damage. While enamel cannot grow back or regenerate, like living tissue, there are ways to strengthen and remineralize teeth.
Remineralization is a natural process that involves redepositing essential minerals into the enamel, strengthening it, and reversing early signs of decay. Calcium and phosphate play a vital role in the remineralizing process, replacing the minerals that are lost or broken down.
Causes of Enamel Erosion
A number of reasons can cause tooth enamel erosion. Understanding these risk factors, and avoiding them whenever possible, can help you prevent enamel damage and protect your teeth.
Acidic Food and Beverages
Many foods and drinks are high in acid content, which can start to dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel. Be careful with acidic food and beverages, like:
Soda and fruit juices
Wine
Coffee
Sugary foods and beverages
Tomatoes
Vinegar
Citrus fruits
Poor Oral Hygiene
Failing to brush, floss, and maintain a healthy mouth can lead to bacteria and plaque building up on the tooth’s surface. This damages the enamel by dissolving the minerals that protect the teeth. Additionally, brushing too hard can be damaging to enamel.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism happens when a person has a tendency to clench and rub their teeth together. It typically happens subconsciously, or when someone is sleeping, making it a difficult habit to break. Unfortunately, the grinding can irreversibly break down enamel.
Acid Reflux
People with acid reflux experience stomach acids flowing up the esophagus and into the mouth. Like acidic foods and drinks, acid from your stomach can wear away enamel, and leave teeth vulnerable to damage.
Natural Aging Process
Throughout the natural aging process, tooth enamel can suffer from wear and tear, leading to erosion. Practicing good oral hygiene, and focusing on a healthy diet can help teeth stay healthy as we age.
Medical Conditions and Medication
Medications, like antihistamines, can cause dry mouth, which makes the mouth more acidic and damaging to enamel. Likewise, certain medical conditions can result in too much acid or weak enamel, including bulimia nervosa.
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How To Restore Tooth Enamel Naturally
Although enamel cannot completely regenerate, you can take steps to strengthen and protect your teeth. Here are ways to remineralize enamel, and promote a healthier smile:
Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to support remineralization
Eat foods that are rich in calcium and phosphate, including dairy
Avoid acidic and sugary food and drinks that can damage enamel
Practice good oral hygiene between dentist visits
Get regular checkups to monitor enamel health and treat issues early
Ask if fluoride treatments are a good option for you
Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
If you do not see your dental insurance listed here, just give us a call to confirm!
Again, enamel repair is not fully possible after it is lost. However, you can protect tooth enamel to prevent erosion. Some easy and actionable ways to support enamel health at home include the following:
Avoid acidic and sugary diets
Chew sugar-free gum
Use a straw when drinking acidic beverages
Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush
Wait 30 minutes after eating acidic foods to brush your teeth
Stay hydrated to counteract dry mouth and acid buildup
While there are no reliable studies to support oil pulling, you can talk to your dentist about possible benefits of the ancient Ayurvedic practice for strengthening tooth enamel.
Absolute Dental: Your Partner in Maintaining Healthy Enamel
Finding the right dentist to partner with you and your family for all your dental needs should be a top priority. You can use tools, like the American Dental Association’s “Find-a-Dentist” page, or your insurance provider’s directory, to locate a qualified dentist near you.
Absolute Dental accepts most dental insurances, and provides exclusive discounts to help patients reach their oral health goals. We are dedicated to providing affordable preventive services that keep patients smiling confidently. Contact us to learn more about our flexible payment options and discounts through our Smile Saver program.
Affordable Oral Dental Care in Las Vegas
Looking for the best dentist in Las Vegas to maintain your oral health? Absolute Dental has you covered. With more than 50 locations throughout southern Nevada, we make quality dental care easy and affordable for the whole family. Contact us today to find a dental office, and make an appointment today.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Las Vegas
At Absolute Dental, we’re proud to provide comprehensive dental care to families across Las Vegas. Whether you’re in need of teeth cleaning, cosmetic dentistry, braces, or pediatric dental care, we’ve got you covered. From general care to emergency dental services, we’re here to help you and your loved ones maintain healthy, beautiful smiles, with convenient locations in your neighborhood.
